One of the things I absolutely love about the internet is how it allows us to find and listen to some of the best music in the world, music that we would otherwise never have access to. Recently a reader of Mideast Youth (upon reading this post) suggested another cool DJ in Iran which I have interviewed below: DJ Eagle.s

For security issues, the DJ has requested that we do not publish his page publicly here. However, you will find samples of his music in the end of the interview.

Q. When did you start playing music? Is there anything in particular that inspired you to get involved?
A. I have never played an instrument. I mostly do DJing and mixing music, also I have produced some tunes in the past. I have been interested in 4/4 based music when I was 12-13 years old. I really liked them, and then Trance music emerged, and I have fallen in love with it. Then when I was about 19, watched one of tiesto’s concerts and I just said I want to do the same thing! Always appreciated Tiesto from start till now. He is the main and first person who inspired me.

Q. Why did you choose to play trance/modern music? Some people in the Middle East think this is a way of Westernization, is this true?
A. There was an attraction in trance music for me when I was a teen. Trance gives me the energy and motivation that I need. I simply love it.
Westernization? No, I don’t think so. I think it’s the presure of governments (especially Islamic ones) to keep everything that comes from west part of the world banned. There is a lot of good and essential thing in this world that they call Westernization.

Q. Do you ever play music in live concerts in Iran, or is it forbidden and dangerous to do that?
A. You mentioned something that I really like to have in Iran, “Trance Events.” Here comes the pain … It’s illegal to hold anything related to trance music. All I can do is underground parties which is dangerous, even I don’t like such a thing because people tend to use illegal drugs, thinking that Trance is cool with drug. But Trance itself is drug! People in underground parties just make Trance recognised as a disgusting thing, and governments use it to advertise bad things about it in newspapers and TV. One example is the word Westernization.

Q. Do you play music to entertain others, or do you ever play the music in order to express any social/political/religious message?
A. Well, I mainly mix music to entertain people, because that gives me a special feeling. But, as I have a weekly radio show, I tend to send message to our government with it, telling them they are wrong and I hate them. Also I have chosen my DJ name (Eagle.s) to show that I am seeking for freedom.

Q. Are there many trance artists in Iran, and if not, do you ever feel left out?
A. Many? No, but there are some people and friends who are keeping up with trance music and follow it’s news. Some of them even produced some tunes. Like Arman Dinarvand or Bit Bit. And ofcourse, best Trance/House artists from Iran are abroad. Like Deep Dish. Iran is not a good place for and artist or DJ to promote. Even I want to leave Iran after my military service which I just have 6 Month left of it. Hope to get a chance to leave here.

Q. This is a more personal question. What do your family think about your music? Do they encourage or discourage you, or are you independent to do what you want?
A. Oh … Family. You can’t find someone in Iran to encourage Trance music or DJing. Everyone says it’s a useless thing. They love money and business more than anything else! But my family is cool, they have left me alone with my DJing. I’m independent for it.

Q. Do you know any other Iranian trance/techno or electronic DJs that you recommend?
A. Other DJs from Iran into Trance/Techno is hard to find. Especially DJs who mix on hardware rather than software. You can find so many Iranian calling themselves DJ on DJ List website, but a lot of them even don’t know what is DJing. Possible examples could be Proyal or Farhad Shirazi. They can get better and better and more active, and I know they will as they have the power of it.

Q. Any final words?
A. Everyone who want to listen my works, can find me on this DJ channel. I have a weekly show there up, named “Trance of Persia” which broadcasts every Monday from 19:00 to 20:00 CET - Central Europe Time (GMT + 2 hours / or 21:30 Iran local time).
Also I upload all of my mixes at XStreamist, where people can both listen or download (High Speed Connection Requierd). I also Have remixed an old classic tune, giving it Trance taste. Named “Apocalypse”. Also I have 2 of my last composed tunes at MySpace profile.